Meet the staff who make it all work

We have a remarkable team of dedicated staff who share in the vision and commitment of the Neufeld Institute. Almost all of our core staff have completed the foundational Intensives and so are knowledgeable about the content of the approach as well as workings of the organization. The staff are listed in the approximate order of your likelihood of encountering them.

Karen Guisemanages student and event registration, website, database, and inquiries
Karen is mom to two teenagers, and a nature lover. With her caring ways and eye for detail, Karen does a remarkable job of anchoring our registration system.
Bria Shantz, MAmanages inquiries from potential students as well as group arrangements
As a high school teacher and mother of two very active boys, Bria somehow finds time to respond to the potential students who have questions about how the courses work.
Ria Toffolimanages finances and our product sales
Ria is a bookkeeper by trade and very active grandmother. She takes care of fixing our books and managing our sales.
Tanya Ritchieserves as assistant to Ria Toffoli
Tanya is an animal lover, dog and horse mom, avid equestrian, and lifelong learner. She is joyfully married to her best friend and is happiest when helping others.
Tamara Strijack, MAserves as our academic dean and virtual campus principal
Besides overseeing our Institute offerings and virtual campus, Tamara also provides oversight to the IDEA website for educators and our in-house equipping of parent consultants. She is a mother of two adult children, an author (Reclaiming Our Students), and in demand as a speaker.
Rebecca Wallserves as assistant to Tamara Strijack
Rebecca is a mother to one, an advocate for home education, and an avid lover of outdoor adventures.
Celena Krahnmanages our virtual campus and media resources; manages newsletter and social media; acts as liaison to our international directors
Celena is a mother and the kind of manager that makes you wonder how you could have done without. She also works with our international directors to help interface with our organization.
Ceara Catonserves as assistant to Celena Krahn
Ceara is Celena's extraordinary sidekick (assistant) and enjoys a kaleidoscope of creative pursuits.
Michele Maurermanages our course assistants including their training, our in-house master classes, our practitioner support centre on campus, and our sleep studies certificate program
Michele wears many hats as a full-time family therapist, Neufeld Parent Consultant, a leader with the Neufeld virtual campus support team, and a member of Faculty.
Robin Brooks-Sherriffmanages speaking inquiries, serves as Gordon's assistant for his speaking engagements, and is in charge of the Support Centre for our advanced students on the Neufeld Virtual Campus
Robin is a Neufeld faculty member, registered nurse, mother, and grandmother who loves to camp, and holds a special place in her heart for adolescents.
Genevieve Schreier, MAserves as primary consultant to our management team and oversees the online classes of our foundational Intensives
With her extensive experience in various administrative roles with the Neufeld Institute, Genevieve now serves as an invaluable resource to our staff.
Joy Neufeld B.Edmanages Gordon and supports our admin team
Joy is a retired school teacher and in many ways the heart of the Neufeld Institute. She is the one responsible for taking care of Gordon. She also takes care of the staff and oversees the myriad of inquiries coming in from our website.
Anna-Marie Krahn, BAserves as special projects assistant wherever help is needed
Anna-Marie is a writer, librarian and adventure seeker. One of her adventures is working with us.
Roderick Young, MSengineers and manages the tech infrastructure for the Neufeld Institute
Roderick is a biologist by training, who has been involved in programming for over 30 years.
Braden Neufeld, BSserves as our graphic designer, website designer and tech consultant
Braden is an engineer by training and an inventor in spirit. He is responsible for capturing our essence and displaying it on the web.